§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will list the adult minimum wage rates proposed by the various wages councils covering retail distribution and the catering industries in the present pay round;
(2) which wages councils in retail distribution have recommended settlements below the Government norm of £44.50p for low paid workers; and what wage rates have been recommended in these cases.
§ Mr. John GrantThe rates vary with the grade of worker and area of employment. Those shown below are for large towns outside London, or in Scotland, the large towns:
(1) Retail distribution—sales assistants
£ Bookselling and stationery trades wages council 42.50 Bread and flour confectionery—E & W—Council 42.00 Bread and flour confectionery (Scotland) Council 38.20 Furnishing and allied trades wages council 42.50 *Food trades—E & W wages council 42.00 *Food trades—Scotland wages council 42.00 The drapery, outfitting and footwear trades, and the two newsagency, tobacco and confectionery trades wages councils have yet to settle in this pay round.
(2) Catering
£ Licensed residential establishment and licensed restaurant wages council (a) lowest rate for non-service worker—e.g. kitchen porter) 40.40 (b) lowest rate for service worker—e.g. porter 33.20 Licensed non-residential establishment:
£ Bar staff—where neither meals nor accommodation are provided 41.20 Lowest rate, club stewart (a) accommodation nor provided 43.10 (b) accommodation provided 35.10 Unlicensed place of refreshment wages council has yet to settle in this pay round.
* At proposals stage—order not yet made
(2) All retail wages councils which have settled have awarded less than £44.50, except for most grades of manager and, 292W in retail furnishing only, sale supervisors in the London area. Typical wage rates are as shown in the preceding answer.